Today’s moment is the first of many, loosely based on my new book, Sacred Margins: On the Spiritual Life of a Writer. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
The transcript of the video is below. If you cannot see the video, click through to our website or to YouTube, where you can view it.
The book itself will be released on May 19th of this year in paperback, ebook, and audio formats. You can find the book here: https://amzn.to/3P5jVj8.
Transcript:
Today’s episode is called “Why the Margins Are Sacred.”
Most people think the power of writing is in the words themselves.
But often, the real power is found somewhere else.
In the margins.
A blank page has no margins at all. The margins only appear once words are written.
And yet, writers live in those spaces.
The space between words.
The space between lines.
The space between what is said—and what is left unsaid.
Those margins are not empty.
They are invitations.
God has always worked in the margins.
In wilderness places.
In silence.
In waiting.
The writer is not called to perfect sentences, but to obedience.
Not to control outcomes, but to place words where the Spirit can work.
The world is loud. Chaotic. Relentless.
And yet Christ calmed the storm with a word.
Could it be that God has entrusted you with a word—
not to shout,
but to speak or write carefully—
so that someone else’s storm might grow still?
Writing, therefore, is not performance.
It is participation.
We place the marks.
God fills the margins.
And that is why they are sacred.
…..
Thank you for listening.
Until next time—write faithfully.
I thought myself to be a writer,
I thought that I possessed a song
in the night, but dawn grew brighter
and I realized that I was wrong
for I had misapprehended
the margins in which meanings live
and thereby I had pretended
that I had something great to give,
but if my pages had some worth
it was God’s use; ’twas not mine,
and this epiphany gave birth
to a razor, sharpened fine
that sliced conceited bonds so tight:
I’m no writer, I just write.
Andrew. In my humble opinion, you are wrong. You are indeed a writer.
I agree, Sy!
Most definitely a writer.
A faithful one.
Steve
Sy and Pam, thank you. I just feel so awkward at it, like I’m walking on stilts. The more I write, the more clumsy it feels.
It might feel clumsy, but that’s the cancer. You are still writing, we are still reading, and we are thankful you’re still with us!
Thank you for writing a book that feeds the heart and soul of the writer. I’ve just placed my order and can’t wait to read it. Thank you for your ministry—always a blessing!
How exciting! Looking forward to
spiritual insights for word artists.
Words “paint pictures” with images that impress deep within the heart and soul.
Steve, thank you for your very encouraging and insightful words! I definitely want to read your book.
God bless you,
Nancy
Thank you for writing this.
I’m looking forward to your new book, Steve! My favorite continuing classes you taught at Realm Makers was the one on the spiritual life of a writer. That was a while back … we were at Villanova, I think.
Thank you Pam. Yes, it was indeed at Villanova where I once taught that multi-session class.
The book has sections informed by some of those, as well as by other lectures given and blog posts written over the years. A culmination, of sorts.
Wonderful!! I pre-ordered mine!
Beautiful. Inspired and inspiring. Thank you, thank God. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Thank you for sharing. I have been feeling a little discouraged this past week with my writing, and this is just what I needed. I’m looking forward to getting this book.
“Not called to perfect sentences but to obedience.” This comes at a good time for me.
What a beautiful thought. It’s God who fills in the words on the page.
I’ve always felt that I am but an instrument for God. I don’t typically make resolutions each new year, but I do like to choose a word that guides me. This year, God gave me the word “missionary.” My job is to spread the gospel. I feel fortunate that I don’t have to travel the globe or be far away from my family. I can tell the people next door, and God has given us the internet. The words he instructs us to write can reach more people than my brain can imagine. But if they should only reach one, I’ve done what the Lord asked. Sometimes that “one” is myself.
Thank you, Steve! I’m definitely wanting to get my hands on this book.
For me, it’s a timely word, an important word, and I don’t want to miss what God has for me in it.
To you, with the very fine video presentation and forthcoming book — wow. I look forward to more Monday Moment diamonds. “Write faithfully” is among the treasures here.
To write faithfully . . . that’s the goal worth pursuing! Thank you, Steve. I’ll look forward to hearing more from your new book!
Many years ago I worked for a small ad agency. This piece by Steve reminded me of one piece of information I recall being repeatedly emphasized; ‘white space grabs the readers attention’. In other words, don’t clutter up the page with unnecessary words and images. Put down the essentials and let the white space bring the readers attention into focus on the necessary text, the important message.
You are so right Steve. I’ve been writing fiction for so long, asking God to give me the words. Until He finally did, but it wasn’t fiction. He finally got it through my thick head that the words He wanted me to get out there were MY story, my struggle with bipolar. To be honest, the scribbled notes in the margins have been the most difficult and yet the most self-analyzing I’ve ever done. I hope my book will help others, but the margins have opened up my eyes.
I know what I’m about to pre-order!
It’s so cool you’ve written another book, Sir! It’s especially wonderful to me because of the subject matter—I’ve been on this journey about writing with God not just for him ever since Realm Makers 2024 (Nadine’s sessions and Allen Arnold’s keynote changed my life that year), and this book sounds like it will be another treasure trove of beautiful insights on that front, on writing with the Spirit and leaving room for God instead of trying to do it all ourselves. I LOVE what you said about we write the words but God fills the margins—I’m definitely trying to learn how to just write to the very best of my ability, and leave the people it touches and the ‘success’ of it up to God. Because in the end, I’m just called to be faithful to the calling God’s placed on my heart to create with him.
Super excited to read it!
— Hadassah Waugh
Here’s hoping you are doing the narration on the audio version, Steve. I see a Spoken Word Grammy in your future.
Just ordered my copy. Can’t wait to read. Thank you for allowing God to use you and for pouring your insights into our lives.